ZEV Mandate and charging infrastructure must be reviewed for UK decarbonisation journey – CV Show
In the introductory seminar at the CV Show today (21st April 2026), SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes (pictured) looked back at 2025 and where business confidence has landed with the ZEV mandate and charging infrastructure.
He went over the ZEV mandate and how the market responded in 2025, and how this will continue through 2026, and explained that the mandate expectations and the industry reality are growing apart increasingly.
Hawes called for the Government to bring forward the ZEV mandate review, as the mandate was created under different geopolitical circumstances.
He said: “The gap between where we are and where we need to be is getting wider.
“The ambition is there, and this industry will deliver it, but the timelines are not there.”
The SMMT have its consultation, where the key message is to keep technology openness and review the realistic expectations, Hawes said.
Hawes emphasised that infrastructure for EV charging is important for the electric transition, where the SMMT has called for better infrastructure for vans and HGVs.
The SMMT said that there is an “inconsistent message coming from Government” due to the Autumn Budget’s introduction of the eVED, while pushing for the market to fully adopt electric vehicles.
He added that the ZEV Mandate was introduced prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the many geopolitical events that have followed, and that there must be a review in light of the changing global and national context, now that the “assumptions behind it haven’t proven to be reality.”
Business Motoring is at the CV Show this week, come see us at stand 4A02!
